Those of you who are considering any treatments at NIB with Dr Ha might want to read on.

I have been a patient of this clinic for over 10 years for check-ups and other general dental procedures. My recent routine cleaning and check-up appointment was booked with Dr Chris Ha, because the dentist I usually see was out of country.

I also have permanent wire retainers bonded inside of my teeth by an Orthodontist specialist at a different clinic. As soon as I got home straight after my appointment at NIB Dental centre, I checked and noticed the surface of the dental glue / bond covering the wire on some of my teeth was chipped. I called the clinic right away, so they can arrange for fixing the loosened wire as it apparently happened during my cleaning appointment. I knew the retainers were intact before the cleaning at NIB clinic, even Dr Ha examined them.

The response I received from her and the clinic manager, without them even asking for details or photos or assessment, was that the cleaning process cannot affect the dental glue / bond material. I did explain to them that (regardless of how gentle or harsh) the only activity or contact with my teeth before I noticed the damage, was during the cleaning. So the damage would have occurred during the cleaning, rather than by mere exposure to air and saliva during my short train ride home!! Yet I received the rather arrogant and rude response that it couldn’t have happened during the visit and not their responsibility to fix. Since they were not bothering with investigating the matter -or pretend to do- I asked about the formal complaints process (ie written & third party paths) but wasn’t provided any.

Oversights can happen with any procedure, but how it is handled afterwards counts more. I would not recommend Dr Ha and NIB clinic if you are after a dentist and a health provider that values integrity, work ethics and their patient’s goodwill. I will have to arrange for a separate costly appointment with my orthodontist (another clinic) to fix the chipped bonds.

This is an excellent business- it has comfortable surroundings and efficient receptionists- the dentists have exceptional customer service and very competent